The Hai Van Pass runs through some 21km of the Bach Ma Range, which juts into the East Sea in central Vietnam.

The relic complex was built in 1826 under the rule of the Nguyen dynasty’s Emperor Minh Mang (1791-1841), who ordered the construction of multiple defensive structures on Hai Van Pass to protect the then-capital of imperial Vietnam in Hue. The structures included fortifications, store houses and cannon forts.

According to historical records, after building the complex, Emperor Minh Mang inscribed its name in Vietnamese - “Hai Van Quan” (Hai Van Gate) - on one side of the gate facing Hue Imperial Citadel, and the words “Thien ha de nhat hung quan” (the world’s most marvellous wonder) on the other side facing Da Nang.

The gate had been left in serious disrepair as neither administrations of Da Nang or Thua Thien-Hue took responsibility for its maintenance.

The Gate has grown to become a popular attraction among tourists as it offers stunning views of the surrounding water bodies and landscape.